Kidney: Definition, Function & Medical Terms

Meaning 1：bean-shaped filter organ (kidney)

kidney 🔊

/ˈkɪdni/

One of the two bean-shaped organs in your body that filter waste and extra water from your blood to make urine.

bean-shaped filter organ 🔊

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/ˈbiːn ʃeɪpt ˈfɪltər ˈɔːrɡən/

An organ in the body that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood to produce urine.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'cȳnēg', referring to the bean-shaped organ that filters blood.

💡 Mnemonic

Recall 'kid' + 'ney' – a kid needs healthy kidneys to grow and play actively.

📖 Example

Eating a healthy diet with less salt can really help your kidneys work better and stay strong. 🔊 A diet low in salt improves kidney function and overall health.

🔗 Collocations

kidney failure – A condition where the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste from the blood.

kidney transplant – A surgical procedure to replace a diseased kidney with a healthy one from a donor.

kidney stone – A hard mineral deposit that forms in the kidney and can cause pain.

🔄 Synonyms

renal (adj.) – Relating to or involving the kidneys.

nephric (adj.) – Another adjective meaning pertaining to the kidneys.

excretory organ (n.) – An organ responsible for removing waste from the body, such as the kidney.

🌱 Derivatives

kidney-shaped (adj.) – Having a shape that resembles a kidney, often used for objects or foods.

kidney bean (n.) – A type of bean named for its similarity in shape to a human kidney.

📖 Cultural Story

The term 'kidney' derives from Middle English 'kidenei', likely due to its resemblance to kidney beans. It is frequently discussed in health contexts, such as organ donation and chronic diseases.